Amazon WorkDocs now allows you to specify a site-wide data retention policy for your users’ files and folders. Applying a data retention policy allows you to recover user-deleted files and folders that have been removed from user recycle bins, during the retention policy period. Retention policies are applicable to all files and folders in a WorkDocs site, and the retention policy can be adjusted from the default of 60 days to any value from 0 to 365 days. Using a data retention policy helps you to address your compliance and business policy requirements for retaining and disposing of your content.

You can apply a retention policy to your WorkDocs site using the Administrator console. Simply set the number of days you would like files and folders to be retained in the recovery bin settings. When files and folders are deleted by a user, they are stored in the user’s recycle bin for 30 days. At the end of this period, they are moved to the recovery bin, which is visible only to site administrators. Site administrators can restore files and folders in the recovery bin to an alternate location anytime during the retention period. Files not restored during the retention period are permanently deleted. To learn more about how to use data retention policies, please visit Recovery Bin Retention.

You can use site-wide retention policies starting today in all AWS regions where WorkDocs is offered. To learn more about WorkDocs, or to start your 30-day trial, please visit Amazon WorkDocs.